U.S. patent application number 12/400881 was filed with the patent office on 2009-12-10 for image processing apparatus, image processing method and image processing program.
This patent application is currently assigned to KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. Invention is credited to Nobuo Kamei, Tomoyuki Okamoto, Yasuji Takeuchi, Tomo Tsuboi.
Application Number | 20090303528 12/400881 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41400033 |
Filed Date | 2009-12-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090303528 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Takeuchi; Yasuji ; et
al. |
December 10, 2009 |
IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD AND IMAGE
PROCESSING PROGRAM
Abstract
Identification information pieces used for establishment of a
connection between an image processing apparatus and a portable
terminal are generated and also linked to the data process
conditions registered in advance. The generated identification
information pieces are displayed on a display in a style allowing
users to understand their linkages to the process conditions. Among
those displayed thereon, a specific identification information
piece is entered on the portable terminal and transmitted to the
image processing apparatus, according to user instruction.
Receiving the identification information piece, if the image
processing apparatus judges that the identification information
piece is appropriate, a connection between the image processing
apparatus and the portable terminal is established by using the
identification information piece, and then data processing is
performed on the data to be processed and other data, under the
process condition linked to the identification information piece
used for establishment of the connection.
Inventors: |
Takeuchi; Yasuji; (Kobe-shi,
JP) ; Okamoto; Tomoyuki; (Suita-shi, JP) ;
Kamei; Nobuo; (Osaka-shi, JP) ; Tsuboi; Tomo;
(Itami-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BUCHANAN, INGERSOLL & ROONEY PC
POST OFFICE BOX 1404
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22313-1404
US
|
Assignee: |
KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS
TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Chiyoda-ku
JP
|
Family ID: |
41400033 |
Appl. No.: |
12/400881 |
Filed: |
March 10, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
358/1.15 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/1205 20130101;
H04N 1/00411 20130101; H04N 2201/3205 20130101; H04N 2201/0048
20130101; H04L 63/08 20130101; H04N 2201/3207 20130101; G06F 3/1285
20130101; G06F 3/1238 20130101; H04N 1/00474 20130101; G06F 3/1258
20130101; G06F 2221/2117 20130101; H04N 1/32112 20130101; G06F
3/1222 20130101; H04N 1/00307 20130101; H04N 2201/3235 20130101;
G06F 2221/2141 20130101; H04N 1/00514 20130101; H04N 2201/3276
20130101; H04N 2201/0094 20130101; H04L 63/0492 20130101; G06F
21/608 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
358/1.15 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/12 20060101
G06F003/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 6, 2008 |
JP |
2008-149982 |
Claims
1. An image processing apparatus comprising: a wireless
communicator that is capable of communicating with a user's
portable terminal, wirelessly; a register that registers one or
more than one process conditions under which data processing is
performed; an identification information generator that generates
identification information for the registered process condition and
also links the identification information to the registered process
condition, before establishment of a connection with the user's
portable terminal; a display that displays on itself, the generated
identification information in a style that allows users to
understand its linkage to the process condition; a connection
controller that establishes a connection with the portable
terminal, if identification information entered by the user via the
portable terminal then received therefrom is equivalent to the
generated identification information; and a data processor that
performs data processing on the data to be processed, which is
received from the portable terminal having been connected, or which
is obtained according to storage information received from the
portable terminal, under the process condition that is linked to
the identification information used for establishment of the
connection.
2. The image processing apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein the
wireless communicator uses Bluetooth, and the identification
information corresponds to a PIN code.
3. The image processing apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein the
data processing corresponds to print processing, and the process
condition corresponds to a print condition.
4. The image processing apparatus recited in claim 1, further
comprising: a selector that allows the user to select whether with
or without a linkage to the process condition, the identification
information should be generated and displayed thereon.
5. The image processing apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein the
display displays on itself, the identification information and
details of the process condition that is linked to the
identification information.
6. The image processing apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein a
name is given to each process condition, and the display displays
on itself, the identification information and a name of the process
condition that is linked to the identification information.
7. The image processing apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein a
process condition is registered for each user, and the
identification information generator generates identification
information and links the identification information to a process
condition that is registered for a login user.
8. An image processing method of an image processing apparatus,
comprising: registering one or more than one process conditions
under which data processing is performed; generating identification
information for the registered process condition and also linking
the identification information to the registered process condition,
before establishing a connection between a user's portable terminal
and an image processing apparatus in order to enable them to
communicate with each other, wirelessly; displaying on a display,
the generated identification information in a style that allows
users to understand its linkage to the process condition;
establishing a connection between the portable terminal and the
image processing apparatus, if identification information entered
by the user via the portable terminal then received therefrom is
equivalent to the generated identification information; and
performing data processing on the data to be processed, which is
received from the portable terminal having been connected to the
image processing apparatus, or which is obtained according to
storage information received from the portable terminal, under the
process condition that is linked to the identification information
used for establishment of the connection.
9. The image processing method recited in claim 8, wherein the
wireless communication is performed by using Bluetooth, and the
identification information corresponds to a PIN code.
10. The image processing method recited in claim 8, wherein the
data processing corresponds to print processing, and the process
condition corresponds to a print condition.
11. The image processing method recited in claim 8, further
comprising: selecting according to user instruction, whether with
or without a linkage to the process condition, the identification
information should be generated and displayed on the display.
12. The image processing method recited in claim 8, wherein the
identification information and details of the process condition
that is liked to the identification information are displayed on
the display.
13. The image processing method recited in claim 8, wherein a name
is given to each process condition, and the identification
information and a name of the process condition that is linked to
the identification information are displayed on the display.
14. The image processing method recited in claim 8, wherein a
process condition is registered for each user, and identification
information is generated and linked to a process condition that is
registered for a login user.
15. An image processing program recorded in a computer readable
recording medium to make a computer of an image processing
apparatus execute: registering one or more than one process
conditions under which data processing is performed; generating
identification information for the registered process condition and
also linking the identification information to the registered
process condition, before establishing a connection between a
user's portable terminal and an image processing apparatus in order
to enable them to communicate with each other, wirelessly;
displaying on a display, the generated identification information
in a style that allows users to understand its linkage to the
process condition; establishing a connection between the portable
terminal and the image processing apparatus, if identification
information entered by the user via the portable terminal then
received therefrom is equivalent to the generated identification
information; and performing data processing on the data to be
processed, which is received from the portable terminal having been
connected to the image processing apparatus, or which is obtained
according to storage information received from the portable
terminal, under the process condition that is linked to the
identification information used for establishment of the
connection.
16. The image processing program recited in claim 15, wherein the
wireless communication is performed by using Bluetooth, and the
identification information corresponds to a PIN code.
17. The image processing program recited in claim 15, wherein the
data processing corresponds to print processing, and the process
condition corresponds to a print condition.
18. The image processing program recited in claim 15, further
making the computer execute: selecting according to user
instruction, whether with or without a linkage to the process
condition, the identification information should be generated and
displayed on the display.
19. The image processing program recited in claim 15, wherein the
identification information and details of the process condition
that is linked to the identification information are displayed on
the display.
20. The image processing program recited in claim 15, wherein a
name is given to each process condition, and the identification
information and a name of the process condition that is linked to
the identification information are displayed on the display.
21. The image processing program recited in claim 15, wherein a
process condition is registered for each user, and identification
information is generated and linked to a process condition that is
registered for a login user.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119
to Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-149982 filed on Jun. 6,
2008, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to an image processing
apparatus that is applied to an image forming apparatus or etc.
that is capable of wirelessly exchanging data with a user's
portable terminal, an image processing method that is implemented
by the image processing apparatus, and an image processing program
that is recorded in a computer readable recording medium to make a
computer of the image processing apparatus implement the image
processing method.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] The following description sets forth the inventor's
knowledge of related art and problems therein and should not be
construed as an admission of knowledge in the prior art.
[0006] As disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Laid-open Patent
Publication No. 2007-157084, there has been an image processing
apparatus such as a MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) that is a
multifunctional digital machine, capable of receiving the data to
be processed such as the data to be printed out, from a portable
terminal such as a cell-phone, by using a near-field wireless
communication system such as Bluetooth, and capable of performing
data processing on the received data.
[0007] In order to perform data processing on the data to be
processed, which is transmitted from the portable terminal, by
using the image processing apparatus as in the way above, it is
necessary to establish a connection between the portable terminal
and the image processing apparatus then transmit the data to be
processed, to the image processing apparatus from the portable
terminal. It is also necessary to set on the image processing
apparatus, a process condition under which data processing is
performed on the data to be processed.
[0008] Therefore, in a conventional manner, users have to perform
an operation to establish a connection between the portable
terminal and the image processing apparatus, and also an operation
to set a process condition on the image processing apparatus,
separately.
[0009] As disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Laid-open Patent
Publication No. 2006-121726, there has been a technology to
establish a connection between a user's cell-phone and a device
capable of performing a communication using identification
information such as a PIN code by using a near-field wireless
communication system.
[0010] However, it is troublesome and inconvenient for users to
perform an operation to establish a connection between the
cell-phone and the image processing apparatus, and also an
operation to set a process condition, separately.
[0011] Meanwhile, in order to omit an operation to set a process
condition, a process condition can be set on the image processing
apparatus, as the default setting. However, respective image
processing apparatuses usually have different default settings
configured thereon, and if the default setting is not equivalent to
a user's preferable process condition, this user eventually has to
perform an operation to change it, which is still troublesome and
does not improve user operability.
[0012] Thus, it is undeniable that the technology described in
Japanese Unexamined Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2006-121726
does not give a perfect resolution against the above-mentioned
problems.
[0013] The description herein of advantages and disadvantages of
various features, embodiments, methods, and apparatus disclosed in
other publications is in no way intended to limit the present
invention. Indeed, certain features of the invention may be capable
of overcoming certain disadvantages, while still retaining some or
all of the features, embodiments, methods, and apparatus disclosed
therein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been
developed in view of the above-mentioned and/or other problems in
the related art. The Preferred embodiments of the present invention
can significantly improve upon existing methods and/or
apparatuses.
[0015] It is an object of the present invention to provide an image
processing apparatus that improves usability and operability by
simplifying user operations when the image processing apparatus
performs data processing on the data to be processed, which is
obtained from a portable terminal.
[0016] It is another object of the present invention to provide an
image processing method that improves usability and operability by
simplifying user operations when the image processing apparatus
performs data processing on the data to be processed, which is
obtained from a portable terminal.
[0017] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
an image processing program recorded in a computer readable
recording medium to make a computer of the image processing
apparatus execute processing by the image processing method.
[0018] According to a first aspect of the present invention, an
image processing apparatus includes: [0019] a wireless communicator
that is capable of communicating with a user's portable terminal,
wirelessly; [0020] a register that registers one or more than one
process conditions under which data processing is performed; [0021]
an identification information generator that generates
identification information for the registered process condition and
also links the identification information to the registered process
condition, before establishment of a connection with the user's
portable terminal; [0022] a display that displays on itself, the
generated identification information in a style that allows users
to understand its linkage to the process condition; [0023] a
connection controller that establishes a connection with the
portable terminal, if identification information entered by the
user via the portable terminal then received therefrom is
equivalent to the generated identification information; and [0024]
a data processor that performs data processing on the data to be
processed, which is received from the portable terminal having been
connected, or which is obtained according to storage information
received from the portable terminal, under the process condition
that is linked to the identification information used for
establishment of the connection.
[0025] According to a second aspect of the present invention, an
image processing method of the image processing apparatus includes:
[0026] registering one or more than one process conditions under
which data processing is performed; [0027] generating
identification information for the registered process condition and
also linking the identification information to the registered
process condition, before establishing a connection between a
user's portable terminal and an image processing apparatus in order
to enable them to communicate with each other, wirelessly; [0028]
displaying on a display, the generated identification information
in a style that allows users to understand its linkage to the
process condition; [0029] establishing a connection between the
portable terminal and the image processing apparatus, if
identification information entered by the user via the portable
terminal then received therefrom is equivalent to the generated
identification information; and [0030] performing data processing
on the data to be processed, which is received from the portable
terminal having been connected to the image processing apparatus,
or which is obtained according to storage information received from
the portable terminal, under the process condition that is linked
to the identification information used for establishment of the
connection.
[0031] According to a third aspect of the present invention, an
image processing program is recorded in a computer readable
recording medium to make a computer of the image processing
apparatus execute: [0032] registering one or more than one process
conditions under which data processing is performed; [0033]
generating identification information for the registered process
condition and also linking the identification information to the
registered process condition, before establishing a connection
between a user's portable terminal and an image processing
apparatus in order to enable them to communicate with each other,
wirelessly; [0034] displaying on a display, the generated
identification information in a style that allows users to
understand its linkage to the process condition; [0035]
establishing a connection between the portable terminal and the
image processing apparatus, if identification information entered
by the user via the portable terminal then received therefrom is
equivalent to the generated identification information; and [0036]
performing data processing on the data to be processed, which is
received from the portable terminal having been connected to the
image processing apparatus, or which is obtained according to
storage information received from the portable terminal, under the
process condition that is linked to the identification information
used for establishment of the connection.
[0037] The above and/or other aspects, features and/or advantages
of various embodiments will be further appreciated in view of the
following description in conjunction with the accompanying figures.
Various embodiments can include and/or exclude different aspects,
features and/or advantages where applicable. In addition, various
embodiments can combine one or more aspect or feature of other
embodiments where applicable. The descriptions of aspects, features
and/or advantages of particular embodiments should not be construed
as limiting other embodiments or the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0038] The preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown
by way of example, and not limitation, in the accompanying figures,
in which:
[0039] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration
of an image processing apparatus according to one embodiment of the
present invention;
[0040] FIG. 2 is a view showing an example of a registration screen
displayed on a display of an operation panel when a user performs
an operation to register a print setting;
[0041] FIG. 3 shows a table having details of the print settings
that are registered in a memory via the registration screen shown
in FIG. 2;
[0042] FIG. 4 shows a table having details of the print settings
that are registered therein after generation of PIN codes;
[0043] FIG. 5 is a view showing an example of a screen that
displays in itself, the registered print settings and the PIN codes
in a style that allows users to understand linkages between the
print settings and the PIN codes;
[0044] FIG. 6 is a flowchart representing a registration procedure
executed in the image processing apparatus when a user performs an
operation to register a print setting; and
[0045] FIG. 7 is a flowchart representing a procedure executed in
the image processing apparatus, when a mode
(print-from-portable-terminal mode) that allows users to make the
image processing apparatus print out the data to be processed, by
transmitting the data from a cell-phone to the image processing
apparatus, is employed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0046] In the following paragraphs, some preferred embodiments of
the invention will be described by way of example and not
limitation. It should be understood based on this disclosure that
various other modifications can be made by those in the art based
on these illustrated embodiments.
[0047] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration
of an image processing apparatus according to one embodiment of the
present invention. In this embodiment, a MFP that is a
multifunctional digital machine collectively having many functions
such as the copy function, the print function, the facsimile
function, and the data transmission function to transmit data to
other apparatuses, is employed as the image processing apparatus,
as described above. However, the image processing apparatus is not
limited to a MFP, and also can be a copier, a printer or a
facsimile, for example.
[0048] As shown in FIG. 1, an image processing apparatus 1 includes
a calculation processor 11, a scanner 12, a printer 13, an
operation panel 14, a memory 15, a wireless communicator 16, an
authenticator 17, a facsimile (FAX) communicator 18, a network
interface (network I/F) 19, and etc.
[0049] The calculation processor 11 includes a CPU 11a, a ROM 11b
and a RAM 11c.
[0050] The CPU 11a centrally controls the entire image processing
apparatus 1. The ROM 11b is a memory that stores in itself an
operation program for the CPU 11a and other data. The RAM 11c is a
memory that provides an operation area for the CPU 11a to execute
an operation program.
[0051] The scanner 12 reads at a predetermined resolution, an image
on a document that is set on a platen glass or an automatic
document feeder (neither shown in Figures), then converts the image
into image data that is electronic data, by performing image
processing in a predetermined manner. The scanner 12 includes a
light source, a prism, a CCD and etc.
[0052] The printer 13 prints out on sheets, image data read out
from a document by the scanner 12 and print data received from
external apparatuses such as a portable terminal 2 and a personal
computer. The printer 13 is constructed of an electrophotographic
machinery, an inkjet machinery or a thermal transfer machinery, for
example.
[0053] The operation panel 14 includes a key portion 141 having a
start key, numeric keys and other keys for users to enter various
instructions and a display 142 that is constructed of a liquid
crystal display with touch-panel functionality, which displays on
itself, messages, various entry screens and other information for
users, as shown in FIG. 2. When a user intends to wirelessly
communicate with the portable terminal 2 via the wireless
communicator 16, the display 142 displays on itself, identification
information that is used to establish a connection between the
portable terminal 2 and the image processing apparatus 1, in a
style that allows the user to understand a linkage between the
identification information and a process condition such as a print
condition. In this regard, detailed explanation will be provided
later.
[0054] The memory 15 records in itself various data and software,
and is constructed of a hard disk drive (HDD), a nonvolatile memory
or etc. One or more than one process conditions including their
details and setting names are registered and stored for each user,
in a storage area of the memory 15, which is related to each user.
Also, a default process condition initially set on the image
processing apparatus 1 is stored therein.
[0055] The wireless communicator 16 serves to wirelessly connect to
a network and wirelessly communicate with the portable terminal 2
existing in the vicinity. In this embodiment, the wireless
communicator 16 performs a wireless communication by using
Bluetooth, but it may perform a wireless communication by using a
wireless communication system other than Bluetooth. Once the
wireless communicator 16 establishes a connection between the image
processing apparatus 1 and the portable terminal 2 by using
Bluetooth, those are enabled to exchange data with each other.
[0056] The authenticator 17 authenticates users intending to log in
the image processing apparatus 1. Internal authentication may be
performed by the image processing apparatus 1, or external
authentication may be performed by an authentication server or
etc.
[0057] The facsimile communicator 18 exchanges data by facsimile.
The network interface 19 exchanges data via a network that is
wiredly connected thereto and not shown in Figures.
[0058] The calculation processor 11 controls operations performed
by the functions ordinarily expected for the image processing
apparatus 1, such as a copy operation, a print operation, a
facsimile operation and other operations and also controls other
operations to be explained as below, by the CPU 11a's executing an
operation program stored in the ROM 11b or another recording
medium. That is, as many identification information pieces that are
used to establish a connection between the portable terminal 2 and
the image processing apparatus 1 as the number of process
conditions, are generated, and the identification information
pieces and the process conditions are interlinked then stored in
the memory 15. In this embodiment, since Bluetooth is employed as
the wireless communication system, PIN codes are generated as the
identification information pieces.
[0059] Furthermore, under the control of the calculation processor
11, the generated PIN codes and the process conditions are
displayed on the display 142 of the operation panel 14, in a style
that allows users to understand linkages between them. Referring to
the display, a user enters on the portable terminal 2, a PIN code
that is linked to his/her preferable process condition, and
performs an operation to transmit the PIN code to the image
processing apparatus 1. Subsequently, under the control of the
calculation processor 11, it is judged whether or not the received
PIN code is equivalent to the PIN code created by the processor
itself. If the received PIN code is equivalent thereto, a
connection between the wireless communicator 16 and the portable
terminal 2 is established and the process condition liked to the
received PIN code is set as the process condition under which data
processing is performed on the data to be processed, and then data
processing is performed on the data to be processed under the set
process condition.
[0060] The image processing apparatus 1 may receive the data to be
processed, directly from the portable terminal 2 having been
connected to the image processing apparatus 1. Alternatively, the
image processing apparatus 1 may obtain the data to be processed by
accessing a storage location holding the data according to storage
information indicating the storage location, which is received from
the portable terminal 2. For example, the data to be processed is
stored in a memory (a HDD, for example) of a server or a user's
personal computer, and the storage information may indicate a path
or a URL guiding the storage location of the memory, in which the
data to be processed is stored.
[0061] Data processing performed on the data to be processed is not
limited to a specific type particularly, and may be print
processing facsimile transmission pricessing, or data transmission
processing using e-mail or etc. The preliminarily registered
process conditions may be print process conditions (also referred
to "print settings"), facsimile transmission process conditions or
data transmission process conditions that include address settings
and etc. In an example to be explained hereinafter, print
processing is employed as the data processing and print settings
are employed as the process conditions.
[0062] A cell-phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) or etc.
that is capable of performing a wireless communication by using
Bluetooth can be employed as the portable terminal 2.
[0063] FIG. 2 is a view showing an example of a registration screen
displayed on the display 142 of the operation panel 14, when a user
performs an operation to register a print setting.
[0064] In this registration screen D1, details of a print setting
to be registered by a user (user name: Mike), are displayed.
[0065] There displayed print setting items such as "Multi-page",
"Staple", "Sheet-feed Tray", "Discharge Tray", "Punch", "Print
Type", "Sheet Type" and "Number of Sets". Via this screen, the user
selects his/her preferable one among optional conditions about the
respective print setting items, by touch operation.
[0066] A set of buttons d1 in this screen D1, indicating as "PIN
Code Display: `display`, `not display`", is used by users to select
via the screen D1, whether or not a PIN code should be displayed
with its linkage to a print setting. If the button "PIN Code
Display: `display`" is selected, a generated PIN code and a
registered print setting will be displayed in pair. Meanwhile, if
the button "PIN Code Display: `not display`" is selected, only one
generated PIN code is displayed without its linkage to a process
condition.
[0067] FIG. 3 shows a table having details of the print settings
that are registered in the memory 15 via the registration screen D1
shown in FIG. 2. When a user (user name: mike) enters a print
setting and a setting name, those are interlinked then registered
therein. Print settings registered in this way above are
administered for respective users.
[0068] Since print settings and setting names are interlinked then
registered, a print setting can be uniquely specified by selecting
its title. In this table of FIG. 3, three print settings are
registered with the setting names "Mike-default", "Mike-Normal" and
"Mike-NoStaple". Since PIN codes are not yet registered for the
print settings, the column for PIN Codes is still blank.
[0069] FIG. 4 shows a table having details of the print settings
that are registered therein after generation of PIN codes. As shown
in this table, different PIN codes are linked to the respective
print settings. In this embodiment shown in FIG. 4, PIN codes are
not only generated to be linked to print settings of a login user,
but also generated to be linked to default print settings initially
configured on the image processing apparatus 1.
[0070] FIG. 5 is a view showing an example of a screen displayed on
the display 142 of the operation panel 14, in which the registered
print settings and PIN codes are shown in a style that allows users
to understand linkages between the print settings and the PIN codes
when a connection between the portable terminal 2 and the image
processing apparatus 1 is established by using Bluetooth.
[0071] In this embodiment, for a user (user name: Mike), three
print setting are preliminarily registered and stored with the
setting names "Mike-default", "Mile-Normal" and "Mike-NoStaple",
and the setting names and the PIN codes linked thereto are
displayed in pairs, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Also, a default
print setting and a PIN code linked thereto are displayed
thereon.
[0072] As described above, PIN codes and setting names are
displayed with linkages between them. Referring to the display, a
user selects and enters a PIN code that is linked to his/her
preferable print setting, then performs an operation to transmit
the PIN code to the image processing apparatus 1. Receiving the PIN
code, the image processing apparatus 1 judges whether or not the
received PIN code is equivalent to any of the PIN codes created by
the apparatus itself, and if it is equivalent to any, a wireless
connection is established by using Bluetooth. Also, a print setting
that is linked to the received PIN code is figured out and the
print setting is set for the data to be printed out, then print
processing is performed under the print setting.
[0073] To summarize, it is only necessary that a user selects and
enters on the portable terminal 2, his/her preferable PIN code
among those displayed on the display 142, and performs an operation
to transmit it to the image processing apparatus 1. And thus, a
print setting that is linked to the entered PIN code is
automatically set thereon, and the data to be printed out is
printed out under the print setting. This means that users do not
have any more to enter a PIN code and also perform an operation to
set a print setting on the image processing apparatus 1,
separately, as in the conventional practice. By simplifying user
operations in this way, an image processing apparatus improves its
usability and operability.
[0074] Furthermore, as described above in this embodiment, a PIN
code is generated for a default print setting initially configured
on the image processing apparatus 1, then displayed. And thus, even
if a user did not register any print settings for his/herself,
he/she can select the default print setting, under which print
processing is performed.
[0075] Meanwhile, if a user selects the button "PIN code display:
`not display`" via the registration screen displayed on the
operation panel 14 of FIG. 2, when registers a print setting, a PIN
code and a print setting are not displayed in pair, but only one
PIN code is displayed and he/she has to perform an operation to set
a print setting as in the conventional manner.
[0076] In the screen shown in FIG. 5, PIN codes and setting names
are displayed in pairs. Alternatively, details of print settings
may be entirely displayed in the screen, as shown in FIG. 4. In
this case, users are allowed to view details of the print settings
at one glance and select a PIN code more easily. It is also an
advantage of the screen of FIG. 5, that setting names and PIN codes
are displayed more simply in pairs.
[0077] Furthermore, if a user touches a button related to a pair of
a setting name and a PIN code, via the screen of FIG. 5, details of
the print setting may be displayed.
[0078] Hereinafter, a procedure executed in the image processing
apparatus 1, to register a print setting, will be explained with
reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. 6.
[0079] This procedure is executed by the CPU 11a of the calculation
processor 11 of the image processing apparatus 1, according to an
operation program recorded in a recording medium such as the ROM
11b.
[0080] As shown in FIG. 6, a user enters his/her user name and
password via the operation panel 14, intending to log in the image
processing apparatus 1, and this entry is accepted in Step S601.
Then, the authenticator 17 performs user authentication based on
the accepted user name and password, and it is judged in Step S602,
whether or not the user authentication succeeds. If the user
authentication fails (NO in Step S602), the routine goes back to
Step S601. If the user authentication succeeds (YES in Step S602),
the routine proceeds to Step S603.
[0081] In Step S603, the "registration setting mode" is selected
according to user instruction. Then, a print setting is configured
by completing the respective print setting items such as
"Multi-page" and "Staple", in Step S604.
[0082] After completion of the configuration, the user enters a
title with which the print setting will be stored (a setting name),
and the entered setting name is given to the print setting in Step
S605.
[0083] Subsequently in Step S606, the print setting having the
setting name given thereto is registered and stored in a storage
area of the memory 15, which is related to this authenticated user.
And then, the routine terminates.
[0084] If he/she intends to register a plurality of print settings
sequentially, the routine repeats the Steps s603 through S606.
[0085] FIG. 7 is a flowchart representing a procedure executed in
the image processing apparatus 1, by a mode
(print-from-portable-terminal mode) that allows users to make the
image processing apparatus 1 print out data to be printed out, by
transmitting the data from the portable terminal 2 to the image
processing apparatus 1.
[0086] This procedure is also executed by the CPU 11a of the
calculation processor 11 of the image processing apparatus 1,
according to an operation program recorded in a recording medium
such as the ROM 11b.
[0087] A user enters his/her user name and password via the
operation panel 14, intending to log in the image processing
apparatus 1, and this entry is accepted in Step S701. Then, the
authenticator 17 performs user authentication based on the accepted
user name and password, and it is judged in Step S702, whether or
not the user authentication succeeds. If the user authentication
fails (NO in Step S702), the routine goes back to Step S701. If the
user authentication succeeds (YES in Step S702), the routine
proceeds to Step S703.
[0088] In Step S703, it is judged whether or not the user selects
the "print-from-portable-terminal mode" via the operation panel 14.
If he/she does not select the "print-from-portable-terminal mode"
(NO in Step S703), the routine proceeds to Step S715, in which
program keys indicating the registered print setting names are
displayed on the display 142 of the operation panel 14. And the
user selects a program key indicating his/her preferable print
setting among those displayed thereon. And then, the selected
program key is figured out in Step S716. After that, the routine
proceeds to Step S711, in which an operation related to the
selected program key is performed.
[0089] On the other hand, if the user selects the
"print-from-portable-terminal mode" in Step S703 (YES in Step
S703), then in Step S704, as many PIN codes as the number of the
print settings registered and stored for this login user are
generated, and a PIN code is generated for the default print
setting. In Step S705, one PIN code is linked to one print setting.
Subsequently in Step S706, the PIN codes and the setting names of
the print settings that are linked to the PIN codes are displayed
in pairs on the display 142 of the operation panel 14, as shown in
FIG. 5. As previously described, details of the print settings may
be displayed thereon with their linkages to the PIN codes, as shown
in FIG. 4.
[0090] As described above in this embodiment, PIN codes are
generated and linked to the print settings that are registered for
a login user. This would eliminate the possibility that the login
user would happen to select a print setting that is registered for
another user. However, it also can be configured such that PIN
codes are further generated and linked to the print settings that
are registered for a user other than the login user, and in
addition to these PIN codes, the PIN codes that are linked to the
print settings registered for the login user are displayed thereon.
In this case, it is advantageous that the login user also can use a
print setting registered for another user.
[0091] The user selects his/her preferable print setting among
those displayed on the display 142 and enters on the portable
terminal 2, a PIN code that is linked to the selected print
setting, and then performs an operation to transmit the PIN code to
the image processing apparatus 1. Receiving the PIN code via the
wireless communicator 16, the image processing apparatus 1 judges
in Step S707, whether or not the PIN code entered by the user on
the portable terminal 2 is appropriate, in other words, the entered
PIN code is equivalent to any of the PIN codes generated by the
image processing apparatus 1 itself.
[0092] If the PIN code entered by the user is equivalent to any of
the PIN codes generated by the image processing apparatus 1 itself,
a connection (session) with the portable terminal 2 is established
in Step S708, and data to be printed out is received from the
portable terminal 2 in Step S709. If the PIN code entered by the
user is not appropriate, no connection is established, however, a
connection failure message may be displayed on the display 142 at
the same time.
[0093] After reception of the data to be printed out, the print
setting that is linked to the PIN code entered by the user is
figured out in Step S710. And the data to be printed out is printed
out under the figured-out print setting, in Step S711.
[0094] Subsequently in Step S712, it is judged whether or not the
print processing is completed. If the print processing is not
completed yet (NO in Step S712), the routine goes back to Step
S703.
[0095] If the print processing is completed (YES in Step S712),
then it is judged in Step S713, whether or not the
"print-from-portable-terminal mode" is currently employed. If the
"print-from-portable-terminal mode" is currently employed (YES in
Step S713), the generated PIN code is removed from the memory 15 in
Step S714, then the routine terminates. If the
"print-from-portable-terminal mode" is not currently employed (NO
in Step S713), the routine immediately terminates.
[0096] While the present invention may be embodied in many
different forms, a number of illustrative embodiments are described
herein with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be
considered as providing examples of the principles of the invention
and such examples are not intended to limit the invention to
preferred embodiments described herein and/or illustrated
herein.
[0097] While illustrative embodiments of the invention have been
described herein, the present invention is not limited to the
various preferred embodiments described herein, but includes any
and all embodiments having equivalent elements, modifications,
omissions, combinations (e.g. of aspects across various
embodiments), adaptations and/or alterations as would be
appreciated by those in the art based on the present disclosure.
The limitations in the claims are to be interpreted broadly based
on the language employed in the claims and not limited to examples
described in the present specification or during the prosecution of
the application, which examples are to be construed as
non-exclusive. For example, in the present disclosure, the term
"preferably" is non-exclusive and means "preferably, but not
limited to". In this disclosure and during the prosecution of this
application, means-plus-function or step-plus-function limitations
will only be employed where for a specific claim limitation all of
the following conditions are present In that limitation: a) "means
for" or "step for" is expressly recited; b) a corresponding
function is expressly recited; and c) structure, material or acts
that support that structure are not recited. In this disclosure and
during the prosecution of this application, the terminology
"present invention" or "invention" may be used as a reference to
one or more aspect within the present disclosure. The language
present invention or invention should not be improperly interpreted
as an identification of criticality, should not be improperly
interpreted as applying across all aspects or embodiments (i.e., it
should be understood that the present invention has a number of
aspects and embodiments), and should not be improperly interpreted
as limiting the scope of the application or claims. In this
disclosure and during the prosecution of this application, the
terminology "embodiment" can be used to describe any aspect,
feature, process or step, any combination thereof, and/or any
portion thereof, etc. In some examples, various embodiments may
include overlapping features. In this disclosure and during the
prosecution of this case, the following abbreviated terminology may
be employed: "e.g." which means "for example", and "NB" which means
"note well".
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